WHEELER Dealers host Mike Brewer has given classic car owners a vital piece of advice that could save them from ruining their beloved motor.
The TV host gave petrolheads some useful pointers during a recent Q&A session on Facebook, including how a common oversight could prove costly.
The motoring expert stressed to drivers that classic vehicles that they own must be regularly used and driven to keep them in good working order.
Mike said: “I always say with any old car, just drive it.
“Drive it, use it, just service it, maintain it.
“It loves it, if it sits in a garage it decays and that’s why we are getting rid of a lot of our cars because I can’t drive them all.
You have got to keep them active and moving
Mike Brewer
“They are just sitting in the garage while I was on this global tour and they just decay. That’s what happens to them.
“The rubbers in the door frames need squishing. The seats need sitting on and compressing. The leather needs to be squished.
“The brake pedal needs to be pushed. All of these things need to happen to keep a car on the road. You have got to keep them active and moving.”
This comes as Mike’s co-host Marc Priestley revealed the “golden rule” for drivers looking to buy a classic motor and make a profit.
In an exclusive chat with Sun Motors, he said: “I always feel it’s a bit more than just buying a car that you think will make a profit.
“You have to have some sort of passion for that car.
“The journey of restoring a classic car is a proper rollercoaster.
“If you’re just doing it for nothing more than the profit, you probably won’t get to the end of that journey.”
He explained that if you have a “real love” for the vehicle you are working on then you’re much more likely to make it through the “ups and downs” that come with the process.
However, if you do find the right car for you, then it’s vital to take steps to make sure you make the restoration easier for yourself.
Marc added: “Find a car that has the type of jobs that you have the skills to be able to do.
“That’s what will get you through the really tough times, of which there will definitely be some.”
If restoration is not for you, Mike was on hand to share his advice for buying a more recent used motor.
Mike urged drivers to “arm themselves with knowledge” to make sure they get the best deal.
He said: “Know more than the person selling the car.
“It’s really easy days, there’s lots of information online.
“Whether it’s a sports car, an SUV, a convertible, whatever it is there will be someone out there who has been down that path before.
“And if you have no mechanical nous find an Elvis…to go with you and go and check the car out for you.”
This comes as a car dealer has revealed how he bought a battered old Peugeot for just £250, only to sell it for a massive profit after some DIY tweaks.
And elsewhere, a motor driving a £200k supercar that was hit by a rogue golf ball has received £1,000s in damage – with the council forced to pay out for the repairs.
